#//HOW COULD YOU DO AN INFORMATIVE COLLAB WITHOUT DAIN???

[dutybcrne]

If Dainsleif is not a part of the Discovery Channel x Genshin collab, I will RIOT-

[witch-hazels-musings]

Teyvat Top School | @bumbleklee​‘s writing collab -- hit the books!

synopsis: reader goes on an adventure to places with endless knowledge only to find answers they never imagined stumbling upon 

Character X GNreader | Anthology 

Includes: Albedo, Dainsleif, Diluc

Warning: SFW, general fluff - alchemist reader (Alb), scholar reader (Dain)

Albedo

Studying with Albedo was one of the more intense things you could have signed up for - it was like you forgot how serious he took things or maybe you thought, in the back of your mind, that he wouldn’t accept your proposal in the first place 

but here you stood, stacks on stacks on stacks of books resting in your arms and hoping the next one he placed there was going to be the last only to find that he had several other ideas on what might be the best reference to your particular research question 

“Albedo, did we need so many?” You asked, plopping the pile of heavy books next to the ones he carried. It was insane how small he was and yet how strong his body must have been. You were sure, if he really wanted to, he could carry even you around the halls of the Favonius headquarters without breaking a sweat. 

“Yes, you never know how much information you may need to solve a problem.” Letting out a sigh, you nodded your head in agreement before pulling a book off to stack and turning to the index. With your finger, you slide down the list until it fell onto the subject matter you were looking into and quickly thumbed through the pages until you landed on the right one. 

“Mmmm, nature over time has adapted to environments of all kinds ... it must be cultivated in conditions to best suit its needs ... mechanica mechanica ...” Flipping through the pages, you searched for a word, a phrase, anything that fit within the context until each passing page proved less and less fruitful. 

“So, what exactly has piqued your interest of melding nature and machine together?” Albedo’s voice drifted in the space around you, you heard it, understood he was asking you a question but you were so distracted you didn’t really hear him. 

“Sorry, what was that?” Squinting, you placed the book on the counter and watched how he organized the others by subject matter. 

“I see I’m not the only one who get’s lost in their research.” Chuckling, he pulled out several notepads and writing utensils and let them spread across the countertop. 

“I know, I know. I often get yelled at by my friends for not listening.” 

“It’s truly alright. I do not mind, in fact, it’s a skill to be so focused you can block out the rest of the world.” 

“You think?” You commented, pulling a stool over with your foot before climbing onto it and leaning your elbows on the high table. “Most people would say I’m being ‘rude.’” The book you were looking at attempted to turn the page on it’s own so you rested it near you and let a small sample bottle hold your place while you slid the notepad and pencil closer. 

“The mind of a researcher puts on our shoulders the requirement to turn the ‘unknown’ into the ‘known,’ for questions of that magnitude it’s understandable we must be attentive in our work.” His eyes scanned the table, squinting just a little bit before his finger moved to curl around his chin. “Though perhaps that is only one way of looking at it.” 

“No, I tend to agree with you. It’s probably why I always feel so comfortable around you Bedo.” 

“Oh.” 

“Yeah, I mean you never ask for much and I always find I’m more productive when it’s just the two of us.” You were walking a fine line, the words you spoke hinting at implications you weren’t sure you were ready to share but nevertheless they were falling onto the paper anyway. “It’s one of the ... uh, reasons I asked you to help me today. Experimenting, researching, even spending time with you. It just ... makes sense.” 

The pencil moved on the paper in lines you felt comfortable making, your eyes glanced at him to see if he caught even a hint at what you were really trying to say. 

“I’m honored and I must admit I feel the same, though I’m still ...” His voice trailed off and when you tilted your head to look at him, his eyes shot to your face before dropping back to the table. “Anyway, shall we begin? We have many books to get through.” 

Nodding your head, you turned your attention to the book at your side and slid your hand to your brow in an effort to hide the smile you just couldn’t seem to shake.

Dainsleif 

the man whose entire identify lived in the hidden corners of histories you’d never understand, whose presence often felt more a figment of your imagination than a real person, the man who seemed to know it all but left you with more questions than answers 

you hope this adventure to the libraries of Sumeru would bring light to the darkness that followed him but it was merely a hope whose outcome you already foresaw long before the scent of ancient texts filled your nose 

In your travels with Dain you’d been almost anywhere imaginable. The islands of Inazuma, the stone pillars of Liyue’s mountain forests, the plains and lakes of Mondstadt, the rich cities of Natlan and Fontain but this was the first time you’d ever set foot in the rolling deserts of Sumeru and the academy that draws in all the greatest minds of Teyvat. 

It was incredible to say the least. Floors and floors of books you’d never imagine lined these shelves. Languages lost to the sea of time, prophesies true and false inspired countless symposiums of the finest minds. Every nation had it’s stories written from the perspective of the winners but, if you looked hard enough, you’d find the telling's from mouths no one would ever believe. 

This is why you were here, to find secrets about the land no one dared to mention. Of course, you’d never tell that to Dainsleif otherwise he wouldn’t have let you poke around in secrets to dangerous to mettle with. Still, if there was anything he should have understood about you by now, it was your insatiable curiosity. 

Your shoes echoed through the dense rows of never ending books. The lights from above illuminated only what needed to be seen by the one who walked beneath them and, when you looked to see the end of the row all you were met with was an impenetrable darkness. 

“Is there something in particular you are looking for?” Dain’s voice seemed far louder than normal in a space this large. If he didn’t naturally speak with a calm demeanor, you might have jumped at his sudden question. 

“I’ve always wanted to learn more about visions, I’m sure they have something here.” You lied. 

“Shall I inquire for you?” 

“That would be great. I’m going to keep searching on my own just for a while.” You made eye contact with him but only for a moment, the guilt in your falsehood made it too difficult to look for long. Dain nodded his head and you watched as he disappeared around the corner of books. Sighing, you picked up the pace and made your way down to the one area you were certain would hold the answers to Khaenri'ah’s secrets. 

Soon the books turned to scrolls tucked away in cubbies covered in dust and your heart pounded at it all. Were you finally going to be able to help, were you finally going to be able to learn more about the man you’d walk to the ends of the earth for? 

Carefully, you pulled a scroll from it’s place among friends. The old paper crinkled in your ear as you tenderly held it in your hands. It seemed these things would fall apart with the simplest touch so you carefully rested it on the floor and unrolled it until the words began to appear under the soft hues of the brazier swaying above you.  

The parchment was rough, the scent of it’s contents filled your nose but when you began to read - and had to nearly squint in order to do so - you learned quickly you’d never be able to understand this scroll. There were familiarities with the text, certain words or symbols that caught your attention, but only fragments. 

“Technology.” “Guardians.” “Broken ... agreements, no shattered agreements.” You did your best but it wasn’t enough. So far nothing you learned was anything new and, in your frustration, you stood back up to examine the other scrolls. “Ah, this one maybe ...” Stretching onto your toes, you lifted up until your finger tips grazed the end of the scroll. You weren’t sure why this particular one called to you, but seeing as it was near impossible to reach you were rather hopeful it would bring you something. 

Suddenly, you felt warmth against your back and when you saw a hand extend to capture the scroll with ease, you knew just what it was. 

“Delving into the secrets of a buried past is dangerous.” His voice shrouded you in truths but you had come so far already. 

“I know ... I know you are only trying to protect me or ‘wait until the right time’ but,” You turned and face him, your back touching the shelves while your eyes found the blue ones you cared so deeply for. “I want to know. I’m ready to share some of your burdens but ... I can’t do that without understanding what you’re fighting.” 

His expression didn’t change, his eyes were calm as they looked at you and the hand he kept lifted above your head entered your peripherals with the scroll you were trying so desperately to reach. 

“If you take this path, I ... I cannot guarantee you will ...” His words drifted away at the placement of your hand on his chest. You knew, you always knew the risks but you were willing to tackle them for him and the gesture in the silence of the library seemed to be enough for his resolve. “Very well, but this won’t help us.” 

“Oh, can you not read them either?” 

“I can, but this is a recipe for making Kvass. Filling, but oddly flavored.” Laughing, you watched him slide the scroll back in its place before working together on unraveling the secrets he kept hidden only to keep you safe. Now that the door was open, he wondered if he was strong enough to do just that. 

Diluc 

he was always someone you longed to know more of but were far to nervous to step closer too so when you mentioned briefly, totally in passing without any intention to rope him into something, that you were trying to find more information on medical herbs and other healing methods, you were shocked to have him offer you some aid 

it was the last thing on your mind that he would go with you anywhere, let alone the one place you least expected him too - the Knights of Favonious library 

The smell of dusty paper, leather spines waiting to be bent permeated every isle you walked down. Rich knowledge hidden behind every closed cover but even with all the moments in your life, you’d never have enough time to bring each the attention they deserved. A few however caught your diligent eye and when you pulled them from their place on shelves so tall you had to lift onto your toes just to read some of the titles, your fingers trailed over their engraved faces or ran through the fluttering pages until they whispered their secrets to you. 

Smiling, hair falling slightly in your face, you turned to head back to the table in the corner. It wasn’t your intention to study here but the man you came here with insisted this was the best place. Far away from unwanted eyes and you wondered if he meant to use the word ‘pestering’ instead. 

The books made a heavy, and somehow muted noise when they made contact with the wooden table. Soft scraping filed your ears as you pushed them further toward the center but when you lifted the top on from the pile, fingers pushing the strands of hair from your face and eyes scanning the detailed pages before you, there was something missing from the scene. 

Ah yes, a particular red-head. 

Patiently, you waited for him to find you, taking note that his coat was still draped over the chair across from you, but when your notebook became filled with simple drawings and cryptic scribbles only you’d understand and the brooding boy who came with you never returned, you reserved yourself to investigate. 

Each step through the library was like a maze. Rows upon rows of books that caught your attention, the feeling of your fingers running alone each spine until slapping lightly on the shelves before dropping to your side again. You turned down another isle, peeking your head around the corners but sighed when you didn’t see him. 

“Where did he ...” You whispered, tapping your finger to your chin and glancing at the shelves above you. “Oh, well what are you?” Pulling the book from it’s place, you brought it to your chest eager to find another interesting text to add to your materials. Pursing your lips and letting out a soft sigh, you walked down one of the center isles that would lead you back to your table when you caught a flash of radiant red in the corner of your vision. Stopping and back pedaling slightly, you felt the breath catch in your lungs at the sight before you. 

Diluc was surrounded by stacks of books as he sat on a short wooden stool, his leg resting over his knee with a book in his hand. The light from one of the windows cast a yellow light over him and turned his already incredible hair into a flickering fire. His hand draped over his leg, fingers dangling and relaxed enough to see the red leather highlighting the black but the most incredible thing about the scene was the expression on his face. 

The softness of his eyes as they glanced upward, the illumination around every curve of his face made his features glow and you wondered what he could be thinking about. What, in all of Teyvat, could turn a man’s expression from always serious to heartbreakingly sad. 

You wanted to call out to him but also felt intrusive on this moment. So, gripping the book tighter against your chest, you turned to head down the hall only to trip on a pile of books you didn’t see blocking your way. 

“Oh!” The exclamation pass through your lips faster than you could cover it with your book and before you knew it, Diluc was at your side. 

“Are you alright?” He asked, hands reaching to assist you in cleaning up the mess. At the same time, the both of you reached for a particular book. When your hands touched you pulled back first and softly apologized to him. “It’s alright, have you found something interesting?” He asked, gesturing to the book you pressed to your chest. 

“Mmhm, this is from a scholar in Natlan. I’ve never read anything about their healing practices so I’m hopeful.” 

“That’s good news.” 

“Yeah.” Smiling, you placed the final book onto the pile but when you looked back at him the intensity of his reciprocal gaze made you falter. “Uh, let’s g-go back.” You stuttered, lifting your self from the floor. It was sudden and the shift in position made your head swim for just a moment, that was until a warm, supportive hand found it’s way to the small bend of your back and instantaneously stabilized you. 

“When you’re ready.” He spoke in a gentleness you foolishly blamed on the library. Nodding, you began the short trek back to the corner table but took your time so you could hide your face behind a book about the lands of the pyro archon.